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August 26,
2007 |
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Nitro shows some quick-strike ability |
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By Mike Whiteford |
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POCA — Less than two minutes remained in the third quarter Friday night, and Nitro had still not shaken itself free of Poca. The Wildcats, a 10-2 team in 2006 that reached the Class AAA quarterfinals, had beaten the Dots comfortably a year ago but now led by just two points. The Wildcats responded in their quick-strike tradition. Quarterback Michael Scott hit Marcos Valentine on a short pass, and Valentine scooted 71 yards for a touchdown, breaking an assortment of tackles along the way. On Nitro’s next possession following Scott’s interception of a Poca pass, Scott and Valentine teamed for a similar score, a 63-yarder in which Valentine again worked his way through the Dot secondary. “Valentine was a first-team all-stater last year, and he picked up where he left off,’’ said Nitro coach Scott Tinsley. “He dropped the ball early but after that settled down in the second half.’’ The two quick scores gave Nitro a more comfortable lead and, although Poca stayed in the game with a fourth-quarter TD, the Wildcats picked up a season-opening 48-33 victory. Scott completed 16-of-25 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. He also ran seven times for 68 yards and a TD. The Nitro offensive line, which returned just two starters, did not allow a sack and scarcely allowed the Dots to lay a hand on their quarterback. “Our line did a great job protecting Michael,’’ said Tinsley. “He only got pressured one time, and Poca was sending at least one linebacker on every play.’’ Nitro’s Mark Massey, a 6-foot, 180-pound senior, helped balance the attack with 87 yards and two TDs on 10 carries. “We take what teams give us,’’ said the Nitro coach. “If they spread out, we’ll try to run. But Poca kept a lot of people in the box, and that gave us a lot of one-on-one coverage.’’ Poca, which finished 8-4 last year and reached the Class AA quarterfinals, stayed in the game by rushing for 318 yards, led by Derek McClure, a 5-10, 200-pound senior, who rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. “I was real impressed with the way McClure ran,’’ said Poca coach Bob Lemley. “He lowered his shoulder and ran over people.’’ Poca’s Caleb Arthur, a 5-8,
190-pound sophomore, picked up 60 yards, including two 15-yard runs. Despite
several sacks, quarterback Seth Martin added 53 yards and a 1-yard score and
had a 21-yard gain. Using its customary misdirection plays, Poca took advantage of Nitro’s inexperienced defense. “One of our glaring weaknesses was on defense,’’ said
Tinsley. “We were really worried about that. We lost nine starters, and it
doesn’t appear we’ve made up for that. We did a poor job of tackling.’’ Poca led 19-14 at halftime, helped by four Nitro turnovers. The Wildcats lost three fumbles, including one that rolled into the Poca end zone and the Dots’ Gary Tillis recovered in the final minute of the first half. Poca’s Josh Jenkins had an interception. To contact staff writer Mike Whiteford,
use e-mail or call 348-7948. |